Episode Summary

When a tract of lonely woodland is cordoned off between laser fences, and rapidly changing explanations are rampant, Mulder's curiosity carries him beyond the bounds of official jurisdiction-and into the middle of a UFO cleanup. Scully's attempts to protect Mulder from himself are only marginally successful, and neither agents seem capable of protecting the one innocent on the scene- Max Fenig.moreless

Getting Back on Track

Finally, after several epsiodes that made me want to stop watching Season One entirely, we're back to the good stuff---for the most part.

Despite the welcome return to a UFO-cover-up plot, I do have issues with Mulder suddenly turning into a well-trained commando. His ninja-like abilities make the crash-site security team look like amatures--at least until he gets whacked in the head. Never forget to check your 6, Spooky! Another high point was having the first appearance of a Lone-Gunman type dude, a perfect type of character for the show. Everyone wishes they could be a Mulder-cool nerd, but in reality, this sort of conspiracy-geek is what most viewers might best identify with. Of couse, the writers didn't really understand what they had here, and let it slip away until much later. THIS EPISODE WANTS US TO BELIEVE IN: A covered-up UFO crash; an invisible alien. BELIEVABILITY RATING: 5/10 Nothing wrong with believing that the government would cover-up a UFO crash, but why an invisible alien? Fake drama, I guess. Straight out of And Deep Throat is always a welcome addition to any episode, although he spouts a good bit of cliche in this one. But I liked it overall.moreless

Hooked!

This is the episode that really hooked me on this show when it first aired in November 1993. Up to this point I was really enjoying the X-Files, but this episode with its government and military cover-ups, creepy invisible alien running around on the loose, and of course Max Finig (a character that I really wish they had brought back in a different capacity later in the series), just grabbed me and the show never let go again.moreless

A UFO clean up goes wrong

This was a brilliant episode when a UFO crashes and the government tries to cover it up and Mulder gets locked up for investigating it and he meets Max.Also some kind of unseen alien from the UFO comes out and kills lots of the soldiers trying to cover the mess up and Mulder believes Max is an abductee and the alien is after him.The alien manages to kidnap Max.Deep Throat once again helps Mulder by not allowing Mulder to be fired.This episode left a lot of mystery to what the alien was and to Max.moreless

Fallen Angel

Practically a continuation of the episode "1x02 - Deep Throat," but this time with the participation of an outstanding supporting actor, Max Fenig, a fanatic for quite weird extraterrestrial activities. The first few minutes seemed more of a "Mission Impossible" alien, just as the protagonist with Mulder, but Scully quickly appears and everything returns to how it should be. Again the scene of the episode is the U.S. government, DHS and military bases, trying at all costs disguise the presence of aliens, UFOs and abductions, misrepresenting the law that stands for truth and disseminating to the masses, with the help of the media sensationalist and thirsty for any news, leaks toxins or fall of experimental aircraft, and in reality is something quite different. There is an episode of great moments of suspense or horror, but it is a well-developed web of delicious conspiracy theories and assumptions traditionally unanswered, especially with Deep Throat finally showing its claws.moreless

This episode gives the first impressions of Mulder's enemies within the FBI, and those who would prefer him being kicked out of the Bureau rather than risk the embarrassment of his actions. It also redefines the border between Mulder and Scully; him as the out of control believer, and her as the scientist who must keep him in line.

NICAP, Max's UFO group, stands for National Investigative Committee of Aerial Phenomena. He also mentions MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) which we learn more about in season 3, and also CSICOP (Committee fo the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) and CUFOS.

Factual Errors: Scully says that Melleril is used exclusively to treat schizophrenia but Melleril (Thioridazine Hydrochloride) is taken for several types of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, insomnia, depression and behavioral disorders in children.

Continuity: The captions at the start of the teaser are "Townsend, Wisconsin; 12:57am Day." After the titles when Mulder is getting ready to investigate the crash the captions are "Budget Rest Motel, Townsend, Wisconsin, 12:57am Day 1." A simple error, unless Mulder is a really fast worker.

QUOTES (15)

Section Chief McGrath: Why did you countermand my decision? Mulder's conduct was in clear violation not only of bureau procedures but of federal law.Deep Throat: Yes.Section Chief McGrath: I don't understand. The committee's case was air tight. You've ruined the last best chance we had to get rid of him.Deep Throat: I appreciate your frustration, but you and I both know Mulder's work is a singular passion-- poses a most unique dilemma. But his occasional insubordination is in the end, far less dangerous.Section Chief McGrath: With respect sir, less dangerous than what?Deep Throat: Than having him exposed to the wrong people. What he knows... what he thinks he knows... Always keep your friends close, Mr. McGrath... but keep your enemies closer.

Mulder: Tell us what happened out there?Colonel Henderson: Whatever happened, Mulder, it has nothing to do with you.Mulder: Wrong, colonel. We both want the same thing. Only you want it dead. Can't you see that chasing it down like an animal you leave it no choice but to defend itself? How many more people have to die before you rethink your approach?

Mrs. Wright: I don't know anything! Don't you understand? They won't even release the body so I can give him a proper burial. OK?Scully: The government can't do that. I'm sure if you appealed to...Mrs. Wright: No!Scully: You're entitled to the truth.Mrs. Wright: I can't afford the truth.

Mulder: But you don't know me. Last night is the first time you've laid eyes on me.Max Fenig: Not true. We at NICAP have been following your career really closely. Ever since you became involved with the X-files.Mulder: Following my career? How?Max Fenig: Through the Freedom of Information Act.Your travel expenses are a matter of public record.

Colonel Henderson: You violated a US government quarantine and that's a federal crime.Mulder: That's a quarantine? Is that what you call this?Colonel Henderson: We're trying to contain an ecological disaster.Mulder: That's a lot of firepower just to protect mother nature.Colonel Henderson: I have my orders. And a license to execute them as I see fit. I suggest you forget what you saw, what you think you saw, for your own well being.Mulder: You've got a downed craft in those woods, sir. And troops carrying live rounds! We both know what's out there!

Deep Throat: Mulder, the continental United States is surrounded by an electronic fence that reaches 15,000 miles into space. We use it to track and monitor the 7,087 man-made objects that orbit the earth. Last night at 23:17 that fence was breached.

Mulder: Then what can I say? How can I disprove lies that are stamped with an official seal?Section Chief McGrath: That will be all, Mr Mulder?Mulder: You can deny all the things I've seen, all the things I've discovered, but not for much longer because too many others know what's happening out there. And no one, no government agency, has jurisdiction over the truth.

Scully: Mulder, the hearing is tomorrow at 10 o'clock.Mulder: So that gives us 24 hours to investigate.Scully: My assignment is to bring you back, not help you dig yourself in deeper.Mulder: 'The Last Detail' starring Dana Scully.

Chief Koretz: Sir, I have flash traffic at 24-18. Repeated calls for ID go unanswered. And it's not in the orbital or suborbital inventory.Officer: 24-18. Isn't that where...Chief Koretz: Same exact spot sir. Although I am reading a much larger craft his time.Officer: Meteor, Ms. Koretz. Chief Koretz: A much larger meteor, sir. Hold on a second. We have a confirm. Whitmarsh Air Force Base is tracking...Office: Where is it?Chief Koretz: Well, sir, the meteor seems to be hovering over a small town in eastern Wisconsin.

NOTES (2)

There is a small town (population about a thousand) called Townsend in northeast Wisconsin; however, it's likely that the town in this episode was based on the City of Tomahawk, a larger town not far from Townsend. Tomahawk and nearby Rhinelander are places where unusual phenomena have been reported, including aerial objects and the local cryptozoological mascot, the Hodag.

This line is a quote from Don Corleone in The Godfather (1972). However, the Don was merely passing on older wisdom than his, this quotation is actually attributed to Sun-tzu 孫子, a Chinese general & military strategist who lived around 400 BC. He is most famous for writing The Art of War a handbook not only on warfare, but government and politics. This essential guide to strategy has been studied by military and civilian leaders for centuries.

The Last Detail is a 1973 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Otis Young. The film tells the story of 2 US Navy shore patrol policemen who decide to take out a young sailor for one last night on the town before he has to go to jail for 8 years.

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